Dubai’s flagship carrier has officially unveiled Emirates Courier Express, a bold delivery service designed to send parcels as carefully as passengers—from door to door and around the globe. The launch was confirmed on April 2, 2025, and marks a fresh milestone in high‑speed logistics for cargo and courier services.
A fresh take on parcel delivery
Emirates Courier Express breaks away from the usual hub-and‑spoke baggage model—packages go straight from origin to destination on the airline’s extensive network, leveraging their fleet of more than 250 widebody passenger and freighter aircraft. The result? Fewer handoffs, reduced transit time—and an average delivery under 48 hours across the initial seven markets. That speed helps businesses move goods faster and more predictably.
Tailored for businesses, ready for more
At launch, the new express courier is available for business‑to‑business and business‑to‑consumer shipments in seven markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, South Africa, and the UK. Plans are already underway to stretch the model to consumer‑to‑consumer shipping by 2026—opening up same‑day or next‑day small‑parcel options between individuals once regulatory hurdles are cleared.
From UK to Australia—and beyond
Expansion is accelerating. In mid‑July 2025, Emirates Courier Express rolled into Australia, serving Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney via about 70 weekly passenger flights. From there, packages can connect seamlessly to Europe and the Middle East, ensuring fast door‑to‑door delivery across continents. Looking ahead, markets such as China, India, and the U.S. are next in line—aligning with Emirates’ ambition to reach all 148 destinations its aircraft operate to over time.
Tech‑driven and customer‑focused
The courier service offers full digital integration, real‑time tracking, and easy linkage into customer systems through a purpose-built platform. The goal is to let clients control and monitor deliveries from dispatch to arrival without guesswork. Both First (next‑business‑day) and Premium (two‑day) service tiers are available, with weight limits designed to suit everything from urgent tech shipments to temperature‑sensitive medical goods and vaccines.
Why it matters
For businesses operating in fashion, electronics, pharmaceuticals or perishables, the service removes logistics friction. By flying packages directly and integrating local delivery partners for customs and last mile, Emirates aims to trim cost volatility and boost reliability—even during peak demand seasons. As Dennis Lister, Emirates SkyCargo’s SVP of Product & Innovation, put it, the service reflects an industry shift—challenging old norms and injecting speed and predictability into cross‑border shipping.
What to watch next
– People‑to‑people service is expected by 2026, opening international parcel shipping to individual users once systems and regulations are ready.
– Australia is now live, with India, China, U.S. coming up soon—stretching the network across more continents.
– Niche verticals like pharmaceuticals and critical medical instruments are getting dedicated support, including cooled supply options and specialist handling teams.
Emirates Courier Express reimagines air freight, pushing express cargo beyond traditional courier systems by treating packages with the same precision, care, and speed as passengers. With global rollout underway and consumer shipping on the horizon, this service could reshape how businesses—and one day individuals—send goods internationally.